"The Silent Cry" is a novel written by Japanese author Kenzaburō Ōe. It was originally published in 1967. The English translation, titled "The Silent Cry," was done by John Bester and published in 1974.
The novel is set in a rural village in Japan and revolves around two brothers, Mitsu and Takashi, who return to their ancestral home after living in Tokyo. The brothers are starkly different in personality and outlook on life. Mitsu is intellectually disabled, and Takashi, a successful intellectual, feels a sense of responsibility for his brother.
The title "The Silent Cry" reflects the underlying themes of the novel, which include the struggles of the individual against societal expectations, the clash between tradition and modernity, and the burden of responsibility. The story unfolds as the brothers navigate complex family relationships, societal pressures, and the legacy of the past.
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